The Trauma Centre - Advocacy and Current Research

Advocacy

Since its inception the Trauma Centre has been active in various forms of advocacy in the interests of survivors of violence and torture. Our advocacy programme supports initiatives aimed at reducing public violence. On an individual level, we have worked to ensure that clients' rights are observed, and that they have access to services which they are eligible to receive.

Staffs at the Trauma Centre have participated in the Victim Empowerment structures, which are part of the South African government's national crime prevention strategy. A focus area has been the establishment of trauma rooms in police stations.

At an organisational level, each year the Trauma Centre participates in a global campaign in which organisations from around the world join together against torture to commemorate the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26th June. The campaign aims to achieve global ratification and to call on governments to fully implement their responsibilities. The Trauma Centre lobbied the South African government to adopt the UN Convention Against Torture, which Parliament ratified in late 1998.

The Trauma Centre played a leading role in offering support to those who witnessed or gave evidence before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The Political Violence Programme has been instrumental in developing a support group for ex-political prisoners and survivors of apartheid rights abuses as a joint counselling and advocacy pilot intervention.

Current Research

Research is an integral part of organisational sustainability and development, informing delivery plans, the development of best practice models, strategies and advocacy campaigns.

The research and service planning programme:

undertakes research into the trends and impact of violence
monitors and evaluates programmes on an ongoing basis to achieve a fuller understanding of the origins and dynamics of violence and trauma so as to inform programme implementation.

Each of our programmes conduct ongoing research on best practice models. Staff carry out applied research based on their experiences and produce papers on the causes, impact and dynamics of violence that are shared with other professionals working at conferences, seminars, and workshops.

The Children and Violence Programme is currently busy with a seven-year longitudinal study on violence prevention interventions in schools. This research will be published once complete.

For further information contact us on: +27 (0)21 465 7373

E-mail: infor@trauma.org.za

Advocacy and Current Research

16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children

The Trauma Centre wish to bring to the attention of every person in South Africa the appalling fact of the ever increasing violence against women and children. How many moms (of our precious children) and our children are brutally assaulted daily?

Lets Unite against Abuse of Women and Children

Speek to as many people as you can about seeking help if there are abusers and perpetrators around your area

during this international campaign that takes place annually in South Africa from 25 November (International Day of No Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).